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Former Wests Magpies chairman Jim Marsden says he took NRL chief David Smith and other heavy hitters on a bus tour of the MacArthur region to highlight Sydney's south-west as a league goldmine, not to position himself to become a director on a restructured Wests Tigers board.

Marsden, who recently ended his seemingly controversial role as an adviser to the Greater Western Sydney AFL team - considering he is a league man - runs a law firm in MacArthur. He is a former deputy chairman of Wests Tigers and there was speculation his tour of the area with the likes of Smith, Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer, businessmen and politicians on Thursday could've been to push his claim to become one of the three independent directors the NRL is tipped to demand are included on the club's board.

Marsden said the suggestion he wanted to become a Wests Tigers director was incorrect. ''No, no … I've been there,'' he said. ''I have a very busy legal practice and I also spend a bit more time with my family these days.''

He insisted the tour was simply to show off MacArthur as rugby league territory because state government figures predict the region is set for a population explosion of about 100,000-120,000 people during the next eight years.

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''Anybody can get that information, but what I wanted to do was … living out here I know talent that is coming out of the ground,'' he said. ''After a meeting with Grant Mayer late last year I suggested we invite David Smith to take a tour, David accepted that invitation and I invited along other people including local business people and politicians. I don't have any high expectations for anything to come out of the meeting. It was my intention to put forward to the NRL that he [Smith] is fully aware and accepts what's happening, so he's fully aware when decisions are made about the positioning of NRL entities - including clubs - they take it into account.

''And David seemed to acknowledge the area was an emerging area, a rapidly emerging area.''

The tour was staged just as the NRL is likely to demand three independent directors sit on the Wests Tigers board after Balmain has not contributed towards the joint venture's costs over the past two years because of its well-documented financial problems.

Wests Ashfield has supported the NRL franchise after Balmain sold its leagues club when the former state government unveiled plans - since shelved - for a metro-style train system. A proposed residential and business development on the site in Rozelle failed to be approved by the appropriate bodies and consequently starved the Tigers of a significant cash flow.

It is understood Balmain has until the end of January to answer questions posed to it by the NRL about its financial situation. If it failed to provide satisfactory responses, Fairfax Media understands the NRL, which wants the situation remedied before the season kicks off, will call for the appointment of three independent directors.

8 comments so far

I love the Tigers, I grew up watching Junior Pearce and blocker Roach running around at Leichhardt Oval. Even I can see however the Tiges need to commit to south west Sydney to ensure a sustainable competitive future. A good start would be playing half their home games at Campbelltown and the other half at ANZ. The state govt has made it very clear they are unwilling to invest in suburban Sydney ovals so Leichhardt will only continue to get worse. Such a shame but this is the reality of the situation.

Commenter

Sad Tiger

Location

Gladesville

Date and time

January 24, 2014, 7:49AM

I agree Sad Tiger. It is terribly unfortunate to see what has happened to the Balmain brand and heads should roll over it. But the reality is that there is no room for growth in inner west and if the board of the JV cannot see that then they should be replaced. Although I'm originally a Magpie I have always had a soft spot for Balmain and I felt this merger was the best possible outcome when a merger was the only option. But I believe the JV has a strong Tiger branding and seems to be determined to lock into inner west at the expense of south west. This focus is damaging both clubs and something has to be done about it.

Commenter

Madmagpie

Date and time

January 24, 2014, 10:06AM

To sadtiger and madmagpie. I believe moving to Cambelltown is a smart idea. Top marks to the N.R.L. for moving in and sorting out the mess at the TIGERS head office this is fantastic news. I am a old magpie from way way back and have a soft spot for the tigers always and was happy with the merger, Its the future that's important here and Cambelltown is the future with the clubhouse right nextdoor. I don't care what happens with Mr. Marsden regarding board seats, but thank you Mr. Marsden for taking these guys on the trip. This news has made my day a big big season coming up go you TIGERS

Commenter

OLDIRISHMAN

Date and time

January 24, 2014, 12:23PM

Surely you wouldn't let Marsden anywhere back near rugby league. He and his brother did a great deal of damage to the game when they were previously involved and should be told thanks, but no thanks.

Commenter

Liverpudlian

Date and time

January 24, 2014, 8:05AM

Very lazy reporting. 1. The sale of the Balmain Leagues Club site had nothing to with the proposed Metro. The Club sold it's property to clear debts that had accrued over years of trading at a loss.2. Balmain Tigers could have continue trading at the established property as a tenant but chose not to. The Club has been vacant since the Tigers moved out.3. There will be no future cash flow to the Balmain Tigers form the proposed development. The Tigers may become rent paying tenants to the owners of developed site.4. There is a long list of unviable clubs in the inner west, Balmain Tigers is on that list.

Commenter

factsonly

Location

Drummoyne

Date and time

January 24, 2014, 9:55AM

And his first action is to sack Grant Mayer and replace him with someone able to talk the Tigers up and give WT supporters hope that the franchise is back on track. They after all will sack him in two years id he lasts but why wait until then?

Commenter

Akari

Location

Canberra

Date and time

January 24, 2014, 10:21AM

Have supported this club via the Magpies from 1963 to 2000 and the merged Wests Tigers entity ever since. Balmain's financial woes must be urgently addressed whoever is to blame for them. At the moment, they simply can't pay their way and this is imposing a grossly unfair burden on the Wests side of the JV who are having to bankroll the whole thing. As well, membership take up is amongst the worst in the NRL. The club has a host of brilliant young players who should ensure on field success in coming years but the off field stuff has to be fixed urgently before it destroys the club

Commenter

curaeus

Date and time

January 27, 2014, 9:40PM

.........and let's not forget the fact that the MacArthur region has been and always will be a 'goldmine' of junior talent.